9 Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Tracking Safari

This safari takes you on an amazing adventure to explore the wildlife wonders of Uganda: venture into the famous Kibale Forest NP to track chimpanzees, and the Bwindi Impenetrable NP to visit the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Take a boat to explore the famous Kazinga Channel, complemented by Big Five game drives in the Queen Elizabeth NP. And finally, you can venture out on foot, horse-back or bike in the Lake Mburo NP, famous for its scenic landscapes. It’s all here, a feast for the senses!

This express safari takes you on an amazing adventure to explore the wildlife wonders of Uganda: Island dotted Lake Victoria and the River Nile, the famous Kibale Forest National Park and the opportunity to track Mountain Gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you venture on an exhilarating climb to the mountain gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo thickets and relish sensational views of lush green rain forests.

Nothing however can prepare you for the impact of encountering a gorilla close up, twice the size of an average man, yet remarkably gentle and tolerant of human visitors. And then there is the chance of taking a boat to explore the famous
Kazinga Channel, complemented by Big Five game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. And finally, you can venture out on horse back or mountain bike in the Lake Mburo National Park, famous for its scenic landscapes. It’s all here, a feast for the senses!

Day 1 - Arrival in Entebbe.
Transfer from airport to your accommodation in Entebbe.
Day 2 - Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park.
Scenic drive to Kibale Forest.
Day 3 - Kibale Forest National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Optional Activities - Chimpanzee Tracking and/ or Bigodi Swamp
Walk or Crater Lake Hike. Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 4 - Queen Elizabeth National Park / North (Kazinga).
Sunrise Safari and boat tour on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 5 - Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park /
North (Buhoma).
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 6 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park / North (Buhoma).
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi.
Day 7 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Mburo National Park.
Afternoon game drive or optional boat cruise on the lake.
Day 8 - Lake Mburo National Park to Entebbe.
Game drive, optional - bush walk or safari on horse back or
mountain bike. Drive back to Entebbe with stop at the
Equator Crossing.
Day 9 - Departure from Entebbe

Day 1 - Arrival in Entebbe

On this first day of your safari, your experienced driver/ guide will collect you at the airport and take you to your accommodation in Entebbe. You will be given a short briefing and answers to any questions you might have regarding your upcoming safari.

Day 2 - Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park

Right after breakfast, you will drive to the unique Kibale Forest National Park where you have the opportunity to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat and relish sensational views of lush green rainforest, alive with the cacophonous calls of varicoloured birds. There are now more than 1.000 chimpanzees living in the region, in addition to black and white as well as red Colobus monkeys. There is also the chance of observing the massive lumbering yet silent forest elephants and hundreds of tropical bird species. Enjoy your first bush dinner and overnight at the Primate Lodge on the edge of the Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 3 - Chimp Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today you venture on an exhilarating search for the chimpanzees in the dense jumble of tropical forest, observing a great number of tropical bird species in their natural habitat as well. Kibale Forest NP is home to the largest population of primates in the world including our peaceful relatives, the chimpanzees. Time permitted, the following optional for extra cost activities are available on this or the previous day:

Bigodi Swamp Walk: Venture into the Bigodi Swamp, past scenic villages and forest tracks where you will likely see several kinds of monkeys including black, white and red Colobus, Mangabey and Vervet. The wetland is community managed and known for its biodiversity.

Crater Lake Hike: Alternatively, you can bike or hike around the Kyaninga crater lake with invigorating views of undisturbed landscapes and the opportunity to experience the lush flora and fauna of this region. Thereafter, your journey continues to the Queen Elizabeth NP.

Day 4 - Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the oldest park lands in Uganda and the early morning game drive through through lush wood and savannah land provides you with the exhilarating opportunity to see an amazing variety of wildlife up close. The park is home to 95 species of mammals and over 500 species of tropical birds as well as the world's largest concentration of hippos. After the game drive, you will experience an exciting boat cruise on the famous Kazinga Channel, a 32 km long natural link between two of the largest lakes in the area - Lake Edward to Lake George - as it meanders through the lush park with its abundance of wildlife. Time permitted, the following optional for extra cost activities are available on this day:

Balloon Safari: Catch the sunrise, as you silently glide over the park in a large hot air balloon and enjoy a bush breakfast in the wild with the serene vistas of rolling green hills and savannahs as a backdrop.

Day 5 - Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today you make your way from the Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is home to the world famous Mountain Gorillas. Almost half of all Mountain Gorillas live in Bwindi and the park itself is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its expanse of ancient and undisturbed tropical rainforest dating back to the last ice age. The lush opportunities for exploration that nature has to offer in this park appear almost limitless.

Day 6 - Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

In the morning, you venture out on a trek into the dense and tangled rainforest past beautiful water falls with sunlight filtering through the dense foliage of the jungle canopy. Today’s activity represent another major highlight of your Ugandan safari as you are going to track the world famous Mountain Gorillas. On this tracking adventure, you will have the exhilarating opportunity to visit the Mountain Gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo thickets and relish sensational views of lush green rainforest, alive with the cacophonous calls of varicoloured birds. Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a mountain gorilla close up, twice the size of an average man, yet remarkably gentle and tolerant of human visitors.

Day 7 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Mburo National Park

Time to say goodbye to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the gorillas and the jungle. Arrival at Lake Mburo National Park in the afternoon, which is the smallest of the parks in Uganda, but should not be underestimated. Here, you can discover a variety of sometimes rare wildlife such as the Impala antelope and for the bird watcher, there is also the chance of encountering an abundance of tropical birds. You can further enjoy a boat ride on the lake or game drive / bush walk through the Lake Mburo National Park, which is famous for its scenic landscapes and dazzling variety of antelopes as well as large herds of zebras. Giraffes were recently added to the park, which were translocated there from other national park lands. Time permitted, the following optional for extra cost activities are available in the park:

Safari either on horse back or mountain bike.

Day 8 - Lake Mburo National Park to Entebbe

In the morning and before you depart on the drive back, you can enjoy another game drive or bush walk in the Lake Mburo National Park. The afternoon drive back to Entebbe also offers the additional opportunity to take a photo at the Equator crossing. Arriving back in Entebbe to enjoy your last night in Uganda at the Entebbe Airport Guesthouse.

Day 9 - Departure from Entebbe

Time to say goodbye. Airport transfer and departure from Entebbe.

Listed below are hotels/lodges/resorts that the safari tour operator can accomodate for you.